“I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore. » Czech international Sparta Prague Jakub Jankto, 27, announced his homosexuality in a video posted on Monday, October 13 on Twitter and Instagram. He declares there:
“Like everyone else, I have my strengths. I have my weaknesses. I have a family. I have friends. I have a job that I have been doing the best I can for years, with seriousness, professionalism and passion. Like everyone else, I also want to live my life freely. Without fear. Without prejudice. Without violence. But with love. I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore. »
The footballer, who has 45 caps for the national team, has also worn the club jerseys of Udinese and Sampdoria Genoa, Italy.
“You have our support”
He has received several messages of support, including from FIFA, UEFA, the Professional Football League, Spanish club FC Barcelona and the English Premier League. His club, Sparta Prague, commented:
“Jakub Jankto spoke about his sexual orientation with the management, the coach and his teammates at the club some time ago. Everything else is about his personal life. No further comment. More questions. You have our support. Live your life, Jacob. Nothing else matters. »
Few players of top players have come out in the world of football.
Among them, the Englishman Justin Fashanu in 1990, when he played for the London club West Ham, the Australian international Josh Cavallo (Adelaide United) in 2021, as well as Jake Daniels (Blackpool / English D2), in May 2022 In rugby, Gareth Thomas, former captain of the XV of Wales, was the first rugby player in history to come out, in December 2009, two years after his retirement from playing. Two weeks ago, it was the New Zealander Campbell Johnstone, former pillar of the All Blacks in 2005, who came out.
